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Ayurveda drug manufacturers in Kerala face operational crisis due to lack of SLA for grant and renewal of licences
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Peethaambaran Kunnathoor, Chennai
September 30 , 2017
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Over 600 Ayurveda drugs manufacturing units in Kerala, the major
suppliers of traditional Ayurveda medicines throughout the country, have
been facing operational crisis for the last six months because of the
government's apathy in appointing a licensing authority in the
department.
Sources from the drug manufacturers association said
the manufacturing firms are likely to stop production of major
proprietary drugs because of non-issuance of licences by the government .
The industry is not getting the renewals also. Manufacturers feel that
if the present situation continues, before long, there will be a sharp
fall in the growth of the 1,000-crore turnover Ayurveda industry in
Kerala.
Meanwhile, the state drugs controller, who has been
given additional charge of the Ayurveda wing, has written to the
government that three drug inspectors in the Ayurveda department are
eligible to become state licensing authorities (SLA) as per the norms of
D&C Act. According to him, there may be shortage of essential
Ayurveda drugs in hospitals and pharmacies due to non-functioning of
manufacturing units.
On May 12 this year, the state government
removed Dr. N Vimala from the post of state licensing authority and
in-charge deputy drugs controller for Ayurveda, and the charge of the
administration of the Ayurveda drugs control wing was given to the state
drugs controller. But the DC is not the authority to issue licences for
ayurvedic products.
Industry sources complained that from May 12
this year, the department is not granting any new licence, or issuing
certificates for product endorsements and proprietary drugs. Renewal of
licences was also halted.
When contacted, the DC in-charge said
reports relating to the issues were submitted to the government for
consideration. He further said there are three drug inspectors in the
Ayurveda department eligible to become licencing authority. As per the
Act, an enforcement officer with 5 years experience can become an SLA.
Senior drug inspectors at Thiruvananthapuram, Dr. P.I. John and Dr.
Smart P John, and Dr. Jayasree, drug inspector at Kozhikodu are fully
eligible for the post of SLA, said Revi S Menon, the DC-in-charge.
Responding
to the present situation, Dr. D Ramanathan, general secretary of
Ayurveda Medicine Manufacturers’ Association of India (AMMOI) said a
member of his organization has already approached the High Court for
directing the government to take immediate action in this matter. He
said more delay in appointing licensing authority will create more
problems to the industry. Many of the units are on the verge of closure.
Dr.
Ramanathan, however, said the state government is very much supportive
to the Ayurveda industry in Kerala. But, if the present crisis is not
sorted out soon, there will be shortage of essential drugs in hospitals
and pharmacies.
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